Nashville Predators

You'd think this would be the easiest post in the world to write but with work and what not it's been quite difficult to get this up. The Nashville Predators are not only our Central Division Rivals, but they are also my cousins favorite team. Needless to say we get into quite a few arguments over this. When you look at the Nashville Predators of last year and compare them to the Predators of this year I don't really think there is any comparison. Last year they had Paul Kariya, Kimmo Timonen, and at the trade deadline picking up Peter Forsberg, this year when you look at their team you don't really see any of those "stars" but their young guys really stepped up last year and I am sure this year they will have only improved. There are so many reasons why I hate the Preds, Jordin Tootoo, the fact that we lost every game that we played them last season. But, I have a lot of faith that my boys will in fact win the series with the Nashville Predators this season. Mainly because they lost their fan favorite goaltender Vokoun to the Florida Panthers. They lost Paul Kariya, Kimmo Timonen, Scott Hartnell, Sheldon Brookbank (who is ours now), Vitali Vishnevski. Their team lost a lot of people, but they had some significant signings including Radek Bonk, Martin Gelinas, Jed Ortmeyer, and Greg de Vries. Still with losing their Captain, Paul Kariya, and Hartnell they are going to be a much worse team come October.

NHL on ESPN?!

Thanks to Kukla for point this out.

The NHL and ESPN are in discussions about bringing the league’s games back to ESPN2 as soon as the 2008-09 season.

Multiple sources described the conversations as preliminary. The two started talking the week of July 16 when the NHL approached ESPN about NBC’s nine-game regular-season schedule, plus the playoffs. NBC holds the rights to air the coming season as part of a revenue-sharing agreement, and the network holds a one-year option for the 2008-09 season.

I know this sounds great but, it seems that ESPN would be replacing NBC not Versus. I'm not really sure how I feel about that. I mean EVERYBODY gets NBC. I don't know. It'd be nice to be on a legitimate sports channel I suppose. Anyone have any thoughts?

Young guys taking over.

So, while I was working today, I was e-mailing one of my friends and I asked him to help me come up with something to write about. His assignment to me seemed simple enough.

Why do you think the young guys are taking over hockey while the veterans are starting to call it quits?

And, no offense to my friend who asked me this...but he has very limited knowledge of hockey, and what it is all about...but I will get to that later. I wanted to keep this just to me...but, I had to enlist the help of some of my lovely HLOG. The lovely CapsChick came up with the easiest answer. She said that well the game has gotten faster. This isn't the same game that it was before. It's not the game they grew up playing. This is a game about speed and skill. It's not a game about who can hit the hardest or who can fight the best (even though our defending Stanley Cup Champs could prove me wrong). Sherry said basically the same thing. She said that they are getting older and it's harder for them to keep up.

Steph seemed to think along the same lines as me.

I don't know....it's kind of sad though, I mean, I love seeing the kids able to step up, but seeing all the guys you grew up watching retiring is sad... And it's funny the way they're adding more pads and cutting down on fighting, you'd think it would make people end up playing longer, but people do seem to be retiring at earlier ages.

Thinking of guys like Scott Niedermayer and Teemu Selanne retiring makes me frustrated. Scott seems to think that the NHL has nothing left to offer him. And, Teemu probably wants to go out on top. But, I think the game needs them. Anyway, that's really off topic...another day perhaps.

I don't know that the game is actually being "taken over" by the young guys...although I suppose you could look at it that way. Veterans play a part in the game just like the young guys do. You need the veteran guys on your team. Look at the Ducks. Scott Niedermayer, Chris Pronger, Teemu Selanne, and Brad May, older guys who played an important role in winning the Stanley Cup. Would the Ducks have won the Cup without them? No, they would not. You need veterans to lead, on and off the ice. And, the veterans will always a spot in the game.

So there ya go buddy. I made my midnight deadline...enjoy and I expect a critique...be gentle ;)

The NHL Awards

Even though I had to stay up until 11 just to watch the Sid er the NHL Awards show. I kind of enjoyed it. I mean sure, the host was...interesting. It was kind of funny when the interviewer guy forgot Paul Stastny's name. And, when Sidney Crosby said congrats to Marty and Vinny even though it was Luongo that got nominated. Dumby. Alright, I will run through the winners and who was nominated and what I thought now.

Hart Memorial Trophy (MVP)
*Winner~Sidney Crosby
*Nominated~Roberto Luongo and Martin Brodeur
*Who should have won? Luongo, no guy took his team that far. Luongo didn't really have the team to work with.

Vezina Trophy (Goalie)
*Winner~Martin Brodeur
*Nominated~Roberto Luongo, Miikka Kiprusoff, and Henrik Lundqvist
*Who should have won? I personally think the right guy won. He broke records this year...you can't dispute that.

Norris Memorial Trophy (defenseman)
*Winner~Nicklas Lidstrom
*Nominated~Scott Niedermayer and Chris Pronger
*Who should have won? Right guy won...you can't deny a +40.

Calder Trophy (rookie)
*Winner~Evgeni Malkin *A No Show
*Nominated~Jordan Staal and Paul Stastny
*Who should have won? Anze Kopitar

Selke Trophy (defensive forward)
*Winner~Rod Brind'Amour
*Nominated~Samuel Pahlsson and Jay Pandolfo
*Who should have won? Pahlsson or Pandolfo...although Brind'Amour's speech made me laugh.

Lady Byng (gentleman)
*Winner~Pavel Datsyuk *A No Show
*Nominated~Martin St. Louis and Joe Sakic
*Who should have won? Joe Sakic...no doubt...at least he showed up

Jack Adams (coach)
*Winner~Alain Vigneault
*Nominated~Lindy Ruff and Michel Therrien
*Who should have won? Vigneault, what a guy!

King Clancy (humanitarian)
*Winner~Saku Koivu
*You can't go wrong when you give Koivu anything.

Masterson (perserverance)
*Winner~Phil Kessel
*The kid overcame testicular cancer and came back...and was absolutely adorable with his little speech in his hand.

Art Ross (points scoring leader)
*Winner~Sidney Crosby

Maurice Richard Trophy (goal scoring leader)
*Winner~Vincent Lecavalier

William M Jennings (fewest goals against)
*Winners~Manny Fernandez and Nicklas Backstrom

Pearson Award
*Winner~Sidney Crosby...no I'm not kidding...the players voted it...I think it was rigged.

For a full break down on the voting and what not check out Mirtle

Wang buys out Yashin

Charles Wang made the decision yesterday to buy out the remaining 4 years on Alexei Yashin's contract...this cost them $17.63 Million. Wang is allowed to pay that over the next 8 years. $2.2 million will go against the salary cap over that time. In a statement Ted Nolan, coach of the Islanders said:

"It was a hard decision, but when push came to shove, it was the best decision for this organization to give Yash a nice, fresh start. For us, it's a new beginning. You start looking for new players to come in. There's a time for people to move, and we just felt it was the right time."

Article Found Here
Margee, has already begun rejoicing.

The List.

1. With Murray out of the running for GM...I am frustrated. Not at the organization, not at the team (because I love them and am a loyal fan), but at Mike Priest. I understand that this is a long process and I was praising him for taking time and not telling us much. But, now that Murray has dropped out it makes me nervous. I want to know what is going on...I have a right to know. I had every intention of buying season tickets...I had even called and gotten ticket information. But, until they find a GM...I'm not going to. We need a good General Manager. It is not an option...it is a necessity. I have faith in Hitchcock...all the faith in the world actually. I just hope he doesn't let me down.

2. Congrats to the Anaheim Ducks for going up 3-1 against the Ottawa Senators. Game 4 seemed exciting although I just had to listen to most of it because I was at work and then when I got home the Directv thingy was acting funny. I am disappointed in Alfie because I think he got a little too frustrated at the end of the second shooting a puck at Scott Nieds. The Ducks got everything together and came out on top without one of their top defenseman...again.

3. I am really excited for Wednesday and I really do hope the Ducks close it out at home. It'd be a great thing for their fans, and it'd be a wonderful thing to rub in the face of Kings fans haha...just kidding. Although, I do plan on doing it to some of my friends who are Kings fans.

4. DELETED TO PROTECT THE INNOCENT

5. That's all I really have...if anything else strikes me...I'll add it on.

6. Bryan Berard was the FIRST Overall Pick of the First Round in the 1995 Draft...are you kidding me?! I guess I missed something with this guy. He made $2,500,000.00 this season. He played in 11 games for us this year. He missed the first 51 games with a back injury. Then he missed the last 16 games of the season because he hurt his back...again. He was a -4 and had 3 assists and 8 penalty minutes. WOW

Crosby to be named Captain

I will have more information about this when it actually happens but for now it looks like he will be named Captain today. You can read the article here.

UPDATE I was reading at Mirtle's blog...and he was saying that the reason they are doing it now is so that Crosby can break another record by becoming the youngest Captain ever in the NHL. I think it's a little ridiuclous to be perfectly honest. I believe Crosby is a great player...he has a TON of skills BUT when it comes to his leadership...I have doubts. Maybe, if I wouldn't have seen him cry, and whine to the refs after every bad call...I would change my mind. The fact of the matter is this is a mans game and Crosby is still...a boy...disagree with me if you want...but it's the truth.

Article Here

Blue Jackets New Uniform!!

The Jackets will be unveiling their new uniforms before the draft on Saturday June 23rd!! Exciting!!!!!!!!!!!

Random

I don't like posting up articles but when I find one that is entertaining I want to put it up. This one I found on ESPN and thought I would toss it up. I really enjoy it. You can find it here.

Page 2 breaks down the Stanley Cup finals

By DJ Gallo

Page 2

While the entire nation of Canada supports the Senators, we're pretty sure at least part of Orange County will be rooting on the Ducks.

Hockey is still digging itself out of its lockout-induced hole. And in the United States it may continue to suffer the embarrassment of being pre-empted for stuff like horse-racing pregame shows.

But it's on its way back -- and in a big way. On Monday, the Stanley Cup finals between Anaheim and Ottawa begin, and Monday was declared a national holiday. Pretty impressive, eh? No other sport can claim that. Hockey doesn't even get its own holiday in Canada.

So please pay proper respect to our new national pastime by reading this Stanley Cup preview. Below are some of the biggest questions that will be answered during the series. (Not included: "Why would I want to read a hockey article?")

Will the Senators be hurt by having an eight-day layoff

No. But I'm in the minority with that opinion. The general consensus is that a hot team can only be hurt by sitting around for so long, unless they have significant injuries to heal from. And since Ottawa has no significant injuries, they won't benefit by a long layoff. There's only one problem with that logic. Does anyone actually believe the Senators don't have any significant injuries? I mean, they're hockey players, for goodness sake. I'd be willing to bet at least a dozen of them are currently skating on broken femurs, unwilling to sit until the playoffs are over. And I think I even saw someone's intestines spill out onto the ice in Anaheim's Western Conference finals series against Detroit. Although that could have been an octopus someone threw. Not sure.

Which goaltender is playing the best entering the series?

You've probably heard the baseball phrase "You're only as hot as your next pitcher." Well, that translates roughly into Canadian as: "You're only as hot as your goaltender's next game." (Actually, it's: "You're only as hot as your goaltender' s next game, eh," but I digress.) Anyway, my point is that while both Anaheim's Jean-Sebastien Giguere and Ottawa's Ray Emery have played well (obviously) to get this far -- especially Giguere -- Monday begins an entirely new series and whoever wins Game 1 will take the mantle of "hot goaltender." Then, at the end of the series, one of them will keep the mantle, upon which he can proudly display the Stanley Cup in his home.

If during this series anyone says "Getting Jiggy with it" in relation to Jean-Sebastien Giguere, am I allowed to punch that person in the throat?

Most definitely. In fact, I encourage it. And then once this person falls to the ground, follow up with a kick to the throat, too.

Who could be the breakout star of the series?

Emery. Ottawa's netminder has quirks that make him a fun story for the media. For instance, he's heavily covered in tattoos. And he died his hair platinum blonde for a time. And he used to wear a mask covered with pictures of Mike Tyson. What else? Oh, right … he ate a cockroach last year on a $500 bet with teammate Daniel Alfredsson, plucking it off the locker room floor as it scurried past. Plus, if the Senators win, he'll be the first black goaltender to win the Stanley Cup since Grant Fuhr in 1990 with the Oilers. (No, seriously. Grant Fuhr is black. Honest. I'm not kidding.)

Both teams have outstanding defensemen. But which team has the best?

Tough call. Ottawa can put Wade Redden, Andrej Meszaros, Chris Phillips and Anton Volchenkov out there, while Anaheim has the outstanding Chris Pronger, Scott Niedermayer and Francois Beauchemin. But I'm going to give the Ducks the edge, simply because of Niedermayer's impressive playoff beard. I mean, look at the thing. So thick. So wise. You could shave it off, put it in a pair of skates, and it would kill a penalty all by itself.

With all this talk of goaltenders and defensemen, is this going to be a low-scoring series?

Well, there is plenty of offensive talent, too. Ottawa's first line of Dany Heatley, Jason Spezza and Alfredsson is outstanding. And Anaheim has Teemu Selanne and high-scoring defensemen in Pronger and Niedermayer. But, yeah, based on how physical Anaheim is and how technically sound the Senators are, it's probably going to be low-scoring. But that's a good thing. Nine times out of 10, lower scoring hockey is better hockey. Some people may like 7-5 games, but then they probably also liked that glowing puck Fox used to use. "Look! Look! Look at the glowing puck! You like that don't you? Look at it go -- wheeee! Shiny things are neat, huh? Hey, hey, hey. Knock it off. No licking yourself when company is here. Don't make me rap your nose with a rolled up newspaper."

Can the Senators become the first Canadian team to win the Cup since the Montreal Canadiens in 1993?

Sure, why not? Realize, though, that a big part of the reason no Canadian team has won the Cup in so long is because there are far less Canadian teams in the NHL than there used to be. For example, the Quebec Nordiques and Winnipeg Jets moved to the United States, and the Canadiens and Toronto Maple Leafs folded. (Whaaaa? Seriously? They're still around? Who knew.)

Be honest: Is there any real rivalry between Anaheim and Ottawa?

Of course there is. They're two of the Original 26, after all. Plus, I'm sure their economies compete in the global market in some way or another. No? Maybe? Let's see, the Anaheim area's primary export is annoying, self-entitled teenagers. Oh, and oranges. Oranges, too. Perhaps Ottawa is angry at Anaheim for exporting too many of their annoying teenagers to Ottawa, while at the same time not providing enough oranges to pelt them with. Yeah, that's probably it. So there's your rivalry.

What if I don't like hockey. Why should I watch this series?

There is really only ever one reason to watch hockey if you don't like it: hearing the magical, wondrous hockey names. If having words like Nikolai Khabibulin, Bates Battaglia, and Radek Bonk tickle your cochleas doesn't put a smile on your face, well … I'm afraid there's no hope for you. But who has the best "hockey name" in this series? Ottawa left wing Oleg Saprykin. And NHL? NBC? Listen up. If you don't market next weekend's games as "A Saprykin Weekend," well … I'm afraid there's no hope for you either.

Are the TV ratings going to be terrible again?

Good question. But for me to answer that for you, I need to first ask you a few questions. Look around your for a few seconds. All done? OK. Now, is everyone around you very apologetic and polite? Is there a faint scent of bacon in the air at all times? Does your kitchen sink at home have one tap for hot, one for cold and one for maple syrup? Do you skate to work or school? Are you currently having any of your extremities treated for frostbite? If you answered yes to three or more of these questions, you are in Canada. The TV ratings where you live will be very high. But the TV ratings in the United States? Yeah, not so much.

So who is going to win?

OK, OK -- I'll get to my prediction. This column has gone on longer than expected (my apologies), but now it's time to wrap it up. So here is my pick: after seven hard-fought games, I think the Stanley Cup will go to ... hey, hey, where are you going? No! No, don't do it. I didn't mean for the column to go on this long. NOOOOOOOOOO!.

Meet my goalie!

So, I really really miss watching my Jackets...and I know it's playoff times and I'm still watching hockey but it's not the same without your team in the mix. So, I decided to highlight our goalie...Fredrik Norrena (and just so you know I had to go to the In The System section of the 06-07 Media Guide to find his information. He was drafted in 2002 by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2002 Entry Draft. He was Tampa Bay's 8th pick and was drafted 213th overall. He was born on November 29, 1973 in Finland. We acquired him from Tampa on June 30th 2006 along with Fredrik Modin for Marc Denis (and I won't lie we WON that trade haha).
This season was Norrena's first season in the NHL. And, he did such a wonderful job. He finished as the first goalie in CBJ history to finish with a better than .500 record. He had 55 games played and went 24-23-3 and had 3 shutouts. And, 6 penalty minutes which I just think is funny. He had a .904 save percent average...and a 2.78 goals against average. He played in 2 leagues before he came over to the NHL the Finnish Elite League which he had 220 games played 15 shutouts and a 2.30 GAA. And, in the playoffs he played 19 games had 2 shutouts and a 1.73 GAA. Then in the Swedish Elite League he played 147 games with 20 shutouts and a 2.02 GAA. In the playoffs in the Swedish Elite League he played 24 games 3 shutouts and a 1.83 GAA.
Say what you want about him but he has more than proven himself as OUR number 1 goalie. To think about what he did in his first NHL season is nothing short of amazing. He continues to impress me...and I can't wait to have him back next year!!

....

So, I am a huge fan of Kuklas Korner I read it EVERY day. Today he put up an article and I figured I should post it up on here...because it's a pretty good rant. It's from the Calgary Sun and it pretty much espresses how I feel about the decision to wait to have the Finals start on Monday...here's the link, The Rant

The Rant

UPDATED: 2007-05-24 01:35:56 MST

By RANDY SPORTAK

Finally, and we mean finally, the Stanley Cup showdown is upon us.

Won't it feel great tonight to kick back and watch Game 1 between the NHL's two most deserving teams from Anaheim and Ottawa?

What did you say Mr. Bettman? It doesn't start tonight?

OK. Tomorrow night will be a good time to begin the clash of the Titans.

Not yet, Gary?

We understand. Besides, Saturday night is really fitting for a hockey game.

Not Saturday? Not even Sunday?

Monday?!?

That's just wrong.

When Bobby Orr scored the Stanley Cup clinching goal to bring the title back to Boston in 1970, it was on Mother's Day.

When the Calgary Flames won the Cup in 1989, the deciding game -- Game 6 -- was on May 25th.

This year's final serries won't begin until after that date and could blast all the way into mid-June.

At that point, not even die-hard hockey fans are clamouring to tune in a hockey game, opting for outdoor pursuits (Well, if the sun ever returns to Calgary).

And those fans the NHL is trying to lure into its web are more inclined to stay away from the TV, too. It's not hard to figure out why even the most popular shows are reruns at this point.

At this point, the NHL is best-served to finish its season as soon as possible. The playoffs have gone from being a marathon to an ironman. The only saving grace for the series being delayed until after the weekend is that the first two games won't be on NBC for those south of the border wanting to watch.

Versus -- which actually does a good job broadcasting, although to far too small of an audience -- won't cut away from an overtime game to air horse racing or Heidi or whatever it'll be next time NBC pulls that ridiculous and insulting stunt.

I heart Quotes.

I found this wonderful quote on Jibblescribbits and I figured I should post it on here it's about Bettman...it's from Dan Wetzel he says...

But that's been the ongoing mistake of the Gary Bettman regime, forever changing the sport to fit his marketing plans rather than change his marketing plans to fit the game.

Question

I posted this on the other blogs I contribute to I'm trying to get answers from a variety of people so please let me know what you think.
What do all of you think of the overtime format? Do you enjoy games that go into the 4 OT's? What do you think should be done or should be anything be done? I'm just curious what you guys think?

Stanley Cup Finals Schedule

All start times are 8 p.m., EST

Game 1 Monday, May 28
Game 2 Wednesday, May 30
Game 3 Saturday, June 2
Game 4 Monday, June 4
Game 5 * Wednesday, June 6
Game 6 * Saturday, June 9
Game 7 * Monday, June 11

*if necessary

Liveblog...sorta

Ducks and Wings

FIRST PERIOD

So I'm a little late getting started and as I write this the game is probably in the second period now but I'm going to watch the first period and hopefully get caught up soon. First goal comes at 18:23 from Corey Perry. Wings scored 16:31 Cleary scores. Jackman scores 8:14 Ducks are up 2-1. 1:29 Teemu scores!! Ducks up 3-1.

SECOND PERIOD

I really hope I am close to getting caught up. I am rewinding through the intermission and commercials so it's going fast. Kyle Quincey is mic'd up. He's not very talkative.

19:11 Scott Niedermayer takes a penalty. Wings on the Power Play.

17:57 Sean O'Donnell takes a tripping penalty. Wings will have a 5 on 3 for 47 seconds.

Ducks are able to kill off both penalties and Giggy makes a great save.

Wings are on the power play again.

12:12 Big Bert scored. Ducks 3 Wings 2

Anaheim goes on the power play. *Still trying to get caught up here*

6:27 I am caught up!!!!!!!!!!!

Rob Niedermayer just took a penalty and Wings score which is a bunch of shit...Cleary scored. DUCKS 3 WINGS 3

3:57 Detroit taking a penalty for interference.

The play is going back and fourth it's amazing!!!!!!!!!!

22.1 Seconds Perry took an interference penalty.

THIRD PERIOD

19:58 Rob Niedermayer took a cross checking penalty Wings get a minute and a half of 5 on 3. Refs hate Ducks.

Ducks are able to kill off BOTH penalties!! Go Ducks!!

15:37 Cleary tripped Huskins...Ducks on the power play

GETZLAF scores!!!!!!!!!! Ducks 4 Wings 3!!!!!!!!

**I'm going to send everyone over to my HLOG sisters blog they are liveblogging and they do a great job!!
Night!!!!!!

Pookie and Schnookie's liveblog!

Why do I love the Ducks?!

Corey Perry is a stud.

Corey Perry hates Hasek.

Conference Finals

WESTERN CONFERENCE

Anaheim Ducks vs Detroit Red Wings

Prediction Ducks in 7

Why Anaheim's strong defense...with guys like Pronger, Niedermayer, and Beauchemin on defense...no matter how good Lidstrom is...he and the I really should be at home watching Wheel of Fortune now Chelios don't light a candle to the Anaheim D. Goaltending...Giggy has the heart he has been great the entire time he has played. Hasek he is getting old and I Have a feeling that he will be getting a little warn down...not to mention Anaheim is all about screening and Hasek is a bit of a baby when it comes to that. Anaheim's ability to play tough. Anaheim has never backed out of a fight...they hit hard and that's what helps them out. They break down other teams by beating the hell out of them. Detroit doesn't have that. It's about toughness. Anaheim's ability to score goals. Anaheim has 2 very very very good lines. Whether they throw out Selanne, Kunitz, and McDonald, or the PPG (Penner, Perry, and Getzlaf) they will score. Anaheim's checking line scares the hell out of me. They are big and they are mean. Detroit don't get me wrong is a great team. I won't deny that...but when it comes to playing tough and playing playoff hockey...Anaheim has them beat. And, not to mention the fact that I think Hasek is simply playing for money...because for every round he wins he gets more cash.

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Buffalo Sabres vs Ottawa Senators

Prediction Senators in 6

Why Out of all the teams in the playoffs the Senators are playing the best hockey. They played a very defensive team in Jersey and faced the amazing Martin Brodeur and beat them in FIVE games. They played a very offensively minded team in the Penguins and beat them in yup you guessed it five games. The Sabres have not been playing good hockey at all. They have had trouble elminating the Rangers (which I still think the Rangers should have won) and the Islanders. Offensively the Sabres have the Sens beat no doubt. Defensively Sens have Sabres beat. I guess it comes down to goaltending. Ray Emery vs Ryan Miller. Who is the better goaltender? Emery. Maybe you're wondering why...BUT...Ray Emery was the only goaltender to beat the Sabres FIVE times in the regular season. Emery is one of the calmest guys under pressure. Both of these goaltenders have something to prove. But, I think Emery is more about the heart and pride.

Either way...these Conference Finals are going to be AMAZING!!!!

I didn't want to do this...BUT............

Since the Sharks have been eliminated by the Red Wings. And, the Sabres eleminated the Rangers. There is one team in each of the Conference Finals that I will be cheering for. Out of the East it's the Senators *I just realized I wrote Rangers earlier but no worries I caught it* Out of the West it's the Ducks. You can expect me to cover those teams over here. Basically because there is not a whole lot going on in Blue Jackets Nation. We're still waiting on a new GM and for the current President to figure out how this hockey operations thing works. (So not even kidding...still don't believe me article here. In other news Rick Nash, Fredrik Norrena, David Vyborny, and Jason Chimera are tearing up the World's over in Russia...Michael over at Army of Ohio covered that here. Also, the Cincinnati Cyclones lost a series (that they were up 3-1 in) last Thursday. But, that doesn't mean the baby Habs didn't have a remarkable year.



OH! And, in happy news Scottie Gomez said he is going to test the UFA market this year!!!!!!!! Check it out!

Well that's all for now. I am sure I will write more later.

06-07 Trophy Finalists

So basically I have been seriously slacking on keeping up with the news around the NHL this past month or so...at least I feel like I have. So here is my take on all the Trophy Finalists.

Calder Memorial Trophy (outstanding rookie)
Evgeni Malkin, Jordan Staal, and Paul Stastny
Now, this one is fairly interesting. All 3 of these guys were on REALLY good teams and had great guys working with them. But, there is one guy who is surprisingly left off. That guy is Anze Kopitar...the rookie for the LA Kings. He didn't have anything to work with and he still put up amazing numbers. You can check out Battle of California's rant here. But, Staal really shouldn't have been up there...I don't think.

Frank J Selke Trophy (outstanding defensive forward)
Rob Brind'Amour, Samuel Pahlsson, and Jay Pandolfo
Maybe it's the soft spot in my heart for the Ducks or my general disliking for the Hurricanes BUT, I have to say I hope this goes to Sammy Pahlsson. What a player...he continues to amaze me.


Hart Memorial Trophy (most valuable player to his team)
Martin Brodeur, Sidney Crosby, and Roberto Luongo
This one is difficult for me...I love goalies and have a very strong hatred for Crosby. But, I have to go with my Marty. He not only broke the Wins per season. But, he had an amazing year with shutouts and he faced the most shots in the league...I do believe. Roberto Luongo was also great for his team without him they would not have made it to the playoffs at all.

Jack Adams Award (outstanding coach)
Lindy Ruff (Sabres), Michel Therrien (Penguins), and Alain Vigneault (Canucks)
Ya know, I don't know that I agree with any of these. I don't like Ruff. I don't like the Penguins. I have no problem with Vigneault and the Canucks so I guess I hope he wins. But, I think a lot of great coaches got overlooked simply because their team didn't make playoffs. Such as, Ken Hitchcock, or the Blue's coach...I mean seriously both teams turned around as soon as they got there.

James Norris Memorial Trophy (outstanding defenseman)
Nicklas Lidstrom, Scott Niedermayer, and Chris Pronger
Is this even a contest? Hasn't Lidstrom won this like the past 20 years or something?

Lady Byng Memorial Trophy (sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct)
Pavel Datsyuk, Joe Sakic, and Martin St. Louis
Sakic is probably the classiest man in hockey. I have nothing but respect for him and think he should for sure win.

Lester B. Pearson Award (most outstanding player as voted by fellow members of the NHLPA)
Sidney Crosby, Vincent Lecavalier, and Roberto Luongo
Luongo. But, I have a feeling that Lecavalier will get this one...which is fine. But Luongo seems like a great pick for this he is a strong player with nothing but determination.

Vezina Trophy (outstanding goaltender)
Martin Brodeur, Miikka Kiprusoff, Henrik Lundqvist, and Roberto Luongo
Martin Brodeur. He is the face of goalies. He is classy. An amazing player. And he had such a great year how can you deny that. I have nothing but respect for all of these guys. I am thrilled that Hasek was not nominated.

I missed Marty...

So I went out of town this weekend right...and came home to realize I didn't DVR any of the hockey games from the weekend and missed my beloved Marty exiting the playoffs that sucks. Anyway expect a decent post tonight.